Clutch mechanism



.sqm 26, -1939.

H. J. DUNKELQW CLUTCH MECHANISM F'iled June 7, 1937 H. J.' DuNKELow CLUTCH `MEGHANISM Filed June 7,' 1957 sept. 2s, 1939.

2- Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented sep-t. 26, 1939 2,174,316

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH MEoHmsM Henry J. Dunkelow, Racine, Wis., assignor to Twin Disc Clutch Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 7, 1937, Serial No. 146,703

12 claims. (c1. 19a- 68) My invention relates to clutch mechanisms as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. and more particularly to a centering ydevice for 2,127,713, dated August 23, 1938. It will be a clutch plate of the floating type which oper-- understood, however, that the application of my ates toy denitely return and hold the plate to `invention is not restricted to clutches of the indi- 5 and in neutral position after being released from cated character, but is readily adapted to 5 driving engagement with the other clutch parts. clutches pI'OVded With a Single flOatiIlg, fICIiOn In clutches employing driving or friction plates plate. of the iloating type, it is c`ontemplated that such Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral III plates will float free when the clutch is idling; designates a driving member, such as a flywheel, l but the practical aspects of the situation are that `which is suitably connected to a power source 10 the plate does not stay free.y On the contrary, it i (not shown). A clutch casing II composed of intermittently engages the mating faces of the the separable, complementary parts I2 and I3 cooperating clutch members with ensuing wear, is secured to one face of the YWheel in an and friction. This condition is particularly desired manner.

l5 serious. in dplex clutches during periods of re- One end of a drivenshaft I4 is journaled in aI 1&5V

versal when certain parts of the clutch are robearing I6 carried by the casing part I2 and tating in opposite directions.` located in axial alignment with the axis of the It is, therefore, one object of 4my invention to flywheel, While the opposite end of the shaft is devise a. centering device which automatically rejournaled in parts and connected tol gearing turns a floating clutch plate to neutral position which more particularly form the subject mat- 20 when the pressure holding the plate in driving ter of the above-noted patent. position is released, 1 The shaft I4 is'provided with an externally A further Objectis to provide a device of the toothed, annular flange I1 that is in constant character indicated which is maintained in mesh with ,similar teeth provided 0n the inner operative relation to the associated clutch device periphery 0f a ring I3 ISO Which iS Secured a friC- 25 within the range oi permissible wear of the friction plate I9 whose opposite sides may be protiOn facings on the plate. vided with suitable friction facings 20. 'The These and further objects of my invention will nature of the` driving connection between the t `be set forth in the following specification, referring I8 and the flange IIS Such aS t0 permit ence being had to the accompanying drawings, the ring and the attached plate to be readily 30 and the novel means by which said objects are shifted into driving engagement with the other eifectuated willbe definitely pointedout in the parts of the clutch mechanism, as hereinafter claims. described, and to also permit its being returned In the drawings: to the neutral position shown in Fig. 1 by the Figure 1 is a fragmentary,fsectional elevation devices hereinafter described. 35

of a clutch of the so-cal'led duplex type showing The plate II'I is located adjacent the inner face the application of my improved centering device of the casing part I2 and a similar friction plate thereto. 2| is located adjacent the inner face of the cas- Fig. 2 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of ing part I3. The plate"2I is secured to a ring i0 a portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 22 Whose inner periphery is provided with a 40 with the parts shown in the same operative relaplurality of teeth 23 which mesh with similar tion to each other, and with the clutch or fricteeth providedl on a driven sleeve 24. The sleeve tion plate in neutral position. y is supported entirely clear of contact with the Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2,'but showing shaft I4 by means of a bearing 25 at one end the friction plate clamped between certain of that is carried by the shaft I4 and, at the oppo- 45 the clutch members and the position of the site end, it may be supported and connected to centering device under these conditions. gearing as indicated in the aforesaid patent. In Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4--4 in Fig. 1, the particular arrangement, the shaft may be looking in the direction of the arrows. regarded as a direct drive shaft, whil ethe sleeve Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary elevations show- 24 may be regarded as a mediuniforimparting a 50 ing the two types of springs which are employed reverse drive to a suitably driven part. in connection with my centering device. Power is transmitted from theiiywheel III to By way of example, my improved centering the shaft I4 through the medium of a clutch device will be illustrated and described in concomprising the casing part I2 andiriction plate nection with the duplex type of clutch mechanism I9, while power from the flywheelis transmitted `55 to the sleeve 24 through a clutch comprising the casing part I2 and friction plate 2l. The friction plates are selectively engaged with their -associated casing parts by means of a common clamping member qr plate 26 that is located between the plates i2 and 2l. Driving engagement between the member 26 and the clutch casing is obtained by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 21 which extend outwardly from the periphery of the member through similarly spaced slots 22 cut in the periphery of the casing part I2. vThe member 26 may be shifted endwise in either direction from the neutral po sition shown by means of a plurality of links 22. only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 1, one end of each link being pivotally connected to a lug 21 and the opposite end to a suitable operative means, Fsuch as that disclosed in the indicated patent.

The structure above-described in and of itself forms no part of. the present invention but has been adverted to as indicating one operating environment for my improved centering device which will now bedescribed. Since this centering device is identical for both friction plates, only one need be described and reference hereinafter will be made only to that device which is sssociated'with the friction plate 2 l.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, a ring fits between opposed, annular shoulders 2| and 22 provided, respectively. on the sleeve 24 and ring 22 adjacent .the -right end faces,` as viewed in the figure, of the teeth 22. The ring 2l is provided with an internal, annular groove 22 which is preferably rectangular in cross section and within which is received a partifcircular wave spring 24. An external, annular groove 26,

' which is preferably U-shaped in cross section, is

also provided yin the ring 22 and this groove re\ oeives a parti-circular ring spring 26 which, whenA the parts are occupying the position illustrated in Fig. 2, bears equally against the angularly disposed faces of an internal, annular, V-shaped groove 21 formed in the ring 22.

The ring 20 is frictionally held in the position shown by means of the wave spring 24 whose outside diameter when free of restraint is greater than the diameter ofthe base of the groove 23. Accordingly, when the spring 24 is compressed to facilitate its being seated in the groove 22, its tendency to expand, after the ring 20 is positioned, as illustrated in Fig. 2, exerts such a degrec of frictional contact on the shoulder 2i that the 4ring 26 is definitely held against inadvertent movement, although it is capable of being moved ,when actuated by a positive force, as hereinafter described. The friction between the vwave spring 24 and the surface of the shoulder 2| is further enhanced due. to the fact that the depth of the groove 22 is less than the height of each undulation of the wave spring. Hence, when the wave spring is positioned in the groove,vnot only are its free ends brought closer together, but each undulation is attened to some extent, so that those portions 'of the undulations which bear against the shoulder 2i exert a greater pressure thereon than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, the free, outside diameter of the ring spring 26 is greater than the internal diameter ofthe ring 22 in the region of the shoulder 22. Accordingly, when the ring 26 is occupying the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the spring 26 bears equally against both faces of the groove 21 and so tends 'to maintainthe friction plate 2| in the neutral position shown. l I

In the operation of the centering device, it will be assumed that the clamping member 26 is moved toward the right to grip the friction plate 2| therebetween and the adjacent face of the casing part I2. During this movement, the left face of the groove 21, as viewed in Fig. 2, compresses the ring spring 26 and moves the same further into its groove 26. When the friction plate 2i has been fully engaged, the parts then occupy the position substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3. This position would generally correspnd to that assumed by the parts when the friction facings 2li are new and, in this position, it will be noted that the teeth 22 have just engaged the left side of the ring 20.

When the indicated clutch is released by moving the clamping member 26 to the position illustrated in Fig. l, the friction plate 2i will be returned to the position also illustrated in the lastnoted ligure due to the expanding action of the ring spring 26 acting against the left, inclined wall of the groove 2l. This returning movement of the friction plate 2l continues until the ring spring 26 contacts the right face of the groove 2l, when the friction plate will be definitely centered between the opposing faces of the clamping member 26 and the casing part I2 and dennitely free of contact with either face.

It will be noted that, during the foregoing operation, the wave spring 24 maintains the ring 2l in such a position that the ring spring 26 contacts with some portion of theleft face of the groove 21, thereby insuring the returning action already described. However, it is important that the centering device be repositioned fromlime to time as gradual wear of the friction facings occurs, since, under these conditions, it is necessary for the friction plate 2l to. be shifted endwise a greater distance than originally.

This result is obtained automatically by the engagement of the en d faces of the teeth 22 with the adjacent side of the ring 26. As the friction facings gradually wear, the teeth 22 gradually shift the ring 36 into new positions such that the ring spring 26 will always engage with some portion of one wall of the groove when the friction plate is shifted to driving position.

The centering device also compensates for any differences in the relative positions of the sleeve 24 and the ring 22 that may be due to manufacturing discrepancies, tolerances, etc.

My improved centering device is not restricted to the vduplex construction shown, but, obviously, is readily adaptable to clutches provided with single plates and is particularly useful with those types of clutches whose mating faces may be rotating in opposite directions during conditions of, reversal. I

I claim:

1. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable member, a clutch plate connected to the member and shiftable relative thereto for engagement with parts of a clutch, means frictionally held on the member for returning the plate to neutral position when the plate is released, and a part on the plate for shifting the means as the faces of the plate wear to maintain the operative relation of the means and plate.

2. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatablemember, a friction plate connected to the lmember and shiftable relative thereto for engagement with parts of a clutch, means for returning the plate to neutral position when the plate is releasedv including an annular V-shaped groove onvthe plate and a ring spring carried by l 2,174,816 the member and engageable with the wens of the l groove, and vmeans formaintaining the operative' relation of the spring and groove as the faces of the plate wear.

5 3. In'clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable member, a friction plate connected to the member and shiftable relative thereto for engagement with parts of a clutch, a ring frictionally held on the member and including an exter 10 nal, annular groove, a ring spring mounted in the groove and acting against an inclined surface on the plate to return the same to neutral position when released, and a part on the plate for shiftying the ring as the faces of the plate. wear to 15 maintain the operative relation of the spring and surface'.

4. In clutch mechanism. the combination of a rotatable member, a 'friction plate connected to the member and shiftable relative thereto for engagement with parts of alclutch, a ring mounted on the member and including internal and external, annular grooves, a ring spring mounted in the external groove and acting against an inclined surface on the plate t return the same to neutral position when released, a wave spring mounted in the internal groove for frictionally fbengaging the member to Vmaintain the position of.

ythe ring,y and a part onthe platefor shifting the ring as the faces of the plate wear to maintain I the operative relation of the ringand surface.

5. Infclutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable' member, a clutch plate connected to the member and shiftable relative thereto for engagement with parts of a clutch, a ring carried alg by the Vmember and including an external, annu- 1` lar groove, and a ring spring 4mounted in 'the groove and engageable with lthe -walls of an internaLannular, V-shaped groove provided on the.

` plate to maintain the" latter in neutral position 4o and acting to return the plate to neutral position fwhen released from 'engagement with the clutch 6'. In `clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable member, acluteh plate connected t6 the member and shii'table. relative thereto for en- 'gagement with parts ot a clutch, aring mounted on the member and including internal and external, annular grooves, a ring spring mounted in theexternal groove and engage'able with the walls oi an internal, annular, V-shaped groove prothe plateto neutral position-when theplate ls released including a depression on the plate .and spring means carried by the member and engageable with an inclined wall dening' a portion of the depression, and meansfor maintaining the operative relation of the spring means 5 and ldepression as the faces 'of the plate wear.

8. In clutch mechanism the combination of a rotatable member, a clutch plate connected, to

the member and "shiftabie relative` thereto for engagement with parts of a clutch, means held 10" on the member against inadvertent movement axially of the clutch and coacting with the plate for returning the same to neutral position when the plate is released, and a part on the plate for shifting the meansV as the faces of the plate wear to maintain the operating relation` of the means and plate. l

9. In clutch mechanism, the combination of,a

'rotatable member, a friction plateconnected clined face provided on the plate, and means for ,l

maintaining the operative relation of the spring and face as the faces ofthe plate wear.

10. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable member a clutch plate connected to themember andy shiftablefrelative thereto for l engagement with parts' of a clutch, a ring carried by the member, spring means carried by the ring and acting against an inclined face provided' on the plate to maintain the latter in neutral position and acting to return the plate to neutral l position when nreleased from the clutch parts. Y

l1. In clutch mechanism, the combination of a rotatable member, a clutch plate connected to the member and shiftable relative `thereto for 40 engagement with parts of a clutch, a'ring mounted on the member, first spring means carried by the ring and acting against an -inclined face provided onthe plate to maintain the latter in neutral position and acting to return the'plate to 45 neutral position when released from engagement with 'the clutch parts, and second spring means carried by the ring and frictionally contacting the member for maintaining the position of the engagement with ring. 5e 12. In clutch mechanism, the combination ora rotatable member, a clutch' plate connected to vthe member and shiftable relative thereto for to maintain the operative relation of the spring au' device and plate.

HENRY J. UUNKEDOW. 

